Finalists for the £50 note portrait must be scientists

[Harrowby Hall]

       


Fleming was a (very) distant rellie of mine. Howver, he may have isolated peniccilin; he did not discover it.

Indeed. Nor did he turn it into a usable drug.

"Without Fleming, no Chain; without Chain, no Florey; without Florey, no Heatley; without Heatley, no penicillin."

Fleming did realise its potential however.

[SteveH]

He discovered what dew is and its dew point amongst his other prolific work and reports etc.

Credit where credit is dew...

[SteveH]

Isaac Newton was on the last £1 note.

I thought about Rosalind Franklin, but if her, why not Francis Crick?

Because Crick and Watson got the Nobel prize, while Franklin was ignored. It's her turn for a bit of recognition. Also, I'd like it to be a woman.

[BeRational]

Paul Dirac

[Harrowby Hall]

Because Crick and Watson got the Nobel prize, while Franklin was ignored. It's her turn for a bit of recognition. Also, I'd like it to be a woman.

I have considerable sympathy with this suggestion.

Based on the same principle then ... either Rosalind Franklin  or Norman Heatley.

[jeremyp]

Having said all that, I'm inclined towards Alan Turing (who was a mathematician) for the reasons Rhiannon gave in #13.

Alan Turing would be my choice, but for his achievements, not because he would make some people uncomfortable. In fact, I think, if that was the only reason, he would be a bad choice.

[jeremyp]

James Clarke-Maxwwell, yes, bhut he was more of a mathematician, wasn't he, even though he was way ahead of his time, creating equations or something which turned out to be just what was needed for quantum mechanics.

James Glaisher would be a good candidate for me at the moment - 'The Weather Experiment' by Peter Moor, he is one of the main characters in the search for an understanding of the weather and  and analysis of it. He discovered what dew is and its dew point amongst his other prolific work and reports etc.

Maxwell would be an excellent choice. I think he is in the Newton/Darwin league.

[jeremyp]

Because Crick and Watson got the Nobel prize, while Franklin was ignored. It's her turn for a bit of recognition. Also, I'd like it to be a woman.

Franklin isn't ignored. Everybody knows about her now to the point where they'd rather put her on a bank note than the person who actually discovered the structure of DNA.

I'm not saying Franklin is not deserving of the honour. Her contribution to the work of Crick and Watson was actually only one small part of a very distinguished scientific career but, if you put the candidates in order of notability, Crick must come higher up the list.

And personally, I think this particular slot is for a scientist. I would rather a scientist be picked for their notability as a scientist, not for social justice reasons.

I have to admit that I am rethinking my choice of Alan Turing because I think I just disqualified him. He is not really known for his science but for his contribution to the British war effort.

[Enki]

Maxwell would be an excellent choice. I think he is in the Newton/Darwin league.

I agree. my vote would be for James Clerk Maxwell as well.

[jeremyp]

I agree. my vote would be for James Clerk Maxwell as well.

What do you mean "would be"? Here is the place to vote

https://app.keysurvey.co.uk/f/1348443/10fc/

Make sure you spell his name right.

[Udayana]

hmm...

 I can't see why scientists have been relegated to being pictured on a note that is hardly ever used except by tax evaders 

[Enki]

What do you mean "would be"? Here is the place to vote

https://app.keysurvey.co.uk/f/1348443/10fc/

Make sure you spell his name right.

Cheers, Jeremy

I have voted.  I spelled his name exactly as I did in post 33.  Hope you find that satisfactory.

[SteveH]

hmm...

 I can't see why scientists have been relegated to being pictured on a note that is hardly ever used except by tax evaders 

On the other hand, the highest-value note might be considered the most prestigious. I mean - hardly anyone drives a Rolls-Royce, but they are much posher than a mini.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

hmm...

 I can't see why scientists have been relegated to being pictured on a note that is hardly ever used except by tax evaders 

It's a scheme by the OU to educate Del Boys.

[Nearly Sane]

So it's Turing. Perfectly fine choice. Not mine. But not objectionable.

[jeremyp]

So it's Turing. Perfectly fine choice. Not mine. But not objectionable.

It was mine, but, as I said above, I Did have second thoughts.

[SteveH]

Ada Lovelace would've been a good choice - a scientist and a woman. So would Charles Babbage, whom she collaborated with. Turing is ok, though I suspect the gay lobby had a lot to do with his choice.

[Aruntraveller]

Ada Lovelace would've been a good choice - a scientist and a woman. So would Charles Babbage, whom she collaborated with. Turing is ok, though I suspect the gay lobby had a lot to do with his choice.

Gay lobby?

Is this like an ordinary lobby but painted rainbow colours.

Bollocks.

[Nearly Sane]

Gay lobby?

Is this like an ordinary lobby but painted rainbow colours.

Bollocks.

Come now, trent, the gay lobby leads onto the camp sitting room, and the bisexual kitchen, thence the lesbian garden. In the endeavour to get Turing on the nifty, the gay lobby were supported by the PC Brigades (both politically correct and personal computer), and the autism spectra.